Rocky Mountain Dirt Riders

Studded tires can be a bit harder to mount and remove than a regular tire. I just finished changing a set and it went really well. The trick?

Well, I removed the tires from the bike and brought them inside. I leaned the wheels and new tires up against the freezer with a sheet draped over them. I then put an electric space heater to blow into the "tent". Wait 15 minutes (cleaned air filter).

The tires, wheels, and spokes were really hot to touch. I used 3 tire irons and the tires came off like nothing. The new tires went on really easy. And they didn't need too much air to seat on the rim.

15 minutes for each wheel is definitely my best time and without any skined knuckles. 1 more bike to do tomorrow night.

To seat the bead simply spray wd40 where bead has sunken in, then increase air pressure to 25 psi and hit side wall of tire repeatedly with ball peen hammer.

Unless you qualified for the IDSE and you can change a rear in under 3 min after almost 200+km of racing....warm tires and WD40 are essential for a smooth tire change.

I used WD40 on the tires to seat them, but I didn't need a hammer

3 minutes I can't wrench or ride like an ISDE rider.

The studs on my year old tire are slightly bent (like a used tire gets round on the front edge). Should I install the tire the same way or turn the tire around? I was thinking if I turned it around that the studs might come out pre-maturely.

What do you guys think?

I would not mount the studded tire the other way...I would bet you a new studded tire that you would be missing the bulk of the studs that were folded over after the first ride. Get the black lock tite and re-apply every few rides.

You might not have very good traction while braking after flipping it either. I know this is true with sleds. But hey, when in doubt throttle her out!

DO NOT use WD-40 to help mounting tires. It is a oil product and leaves behind an oil film between the tire & rim. You want something that is slippery and helps secure the tire to the rim, not that makes it slippery. Go to your local tire store and sleal, beg, buy a small amount of the tire mounting goo thay use for vehicle tires. Slippery going on and dries to actually bind the tire to the rim.

I have found that WD40 evaporates pretty quick and when it does it leaves the tire a bit tacky not slippery

especially in cold temp, WD-40 is like glue.

To each their own, but keep in mind WD-40 is a lubricant.

Can you buy that tire mounting stuff that thumper-darryl references at Canadian Tire?

How about good ol' dish soap

WD40 for me, lubes the chain, helps change the tires, helps keep mud off plastic...and I love the smell

Windex works great for lubing a tires bead, it's pretty slippery and it evaporates out without leaving any residue. Not good when it's frozen though, it won't come out of the bottle!! WR Dave.

Armor all is the be all end all. This stuff is wicked for putting on tires. Dish soap is the worst. Just think when you cross a river with soap on your tires the tire could spin because of the soap getting wet again. this is a way for your tube to spin and pull off the valve stem. I like Daryll's method but I will stick to the armor all!!!!!!!!!